Stop-motion for knitting-machines.



I: w. 0. TAYLOR.

STOP MOTION FOR KNITTING MACHINES- I I 1 APPLICATION FILED JAN-(3.1917.

1 354,087. I Pdtented Jan.22,1918.

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WILLIAM O. TAYLOR, OF LIMERICK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO WILDMAN MFG. ('10.,

OF NOBRIST'OWN, PENNSYLVANIA, A CQRPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

STOP-MOTION IIBOR KNITTING-MACHINES.

Application filed January 18, 1917.

' To all whom it may concern:

I a citizen of the United States,

' wardly extending lower portion 6*.

'theyarn fails and allows the member 6 to swing outwardly under centrifugal force,

to swing radially Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. TAYLOR,

of Limerick, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stop -Motions for Knitting- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention includes features relating to a'stop motion controlled by centrifugal force and therefore adapted to the type of kn1tting machine in which the needle cylinder is stationary and the yarn feed revolves, and it also includes features applicable to either the type of knitting machine just mentioned or to the type in which the yarn feed is arranged at one fixed point andtlie needle cylinder rotates.

The invention consists in the features and combination and arrangement of arts hereinafter described and particular y pointed out in the claims.

In' the drawings;

Figure 1 is a plan view of part of a stop motion head adapted to circular knitting machines.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a front view of unit.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of stop motion unit.

In these drawings 2 indicates a rotary bobbin stand, which as in usual practice may surmount the knitting head, not shown. 3 shows revolving yarn guides of which there may be any suitable number according to the number of yarns fed to the needles.

,These parts rotate within a'fixed frame ring 4. On a ring 5 revolving with the bobbin stand is pivotally mounted a member 6, there being one of these for each yarn feed. These members are pivoted at 7 in brackets 8 fixed to the ring 5, and they are adapted outward when free'to do so under the action of centrifugal force. These members may be of various forms and arrangements but in the particular form shown each consists of an arm extending upwardly from its pivot and having an out- When the stop motion as will be presently described, the portion 6 will swing down inte the-path of one of a mug 10 which is sup the projections 9 of Specification of Letter: Iatent.

and resident and holds illustrated in includes a. loop block 14, said loop embracing a fixed ful- Patented Jan. 22, 1918. Serial No. 142,217.

ported on the fixed frame ring, and as member 6 is now in revolution about the axis of the knitting head the contact of the portion 6 with one of the studs 9 will impart to the ring 10 a rotary movement with the result that one of the-radial studs 11 will be brought against the letofi' arm 12 forming the connection or a part of the connection to the letofi mechanism. When the machine is-running with the yarn feeding properly the member or members 6 will be held in the position shown at the left of Fig. 2 by the draft of the yarn in contact with a feeler finger or lever 13, which is connected with the member 6 against the stress to which it is subjected until such time that the yarn fails. This lever may assume different forms and arrangements but I find it of particular advantage to employ'that which a block 14 is mounted (en apin 15 fitted to a socket in the member sai block at .the upper end of the said member 6. This block carries the feeler finger which includes in its construction a wire in the general form of a loop. Specifically described, however, the loop has a straight side 13',the middle part of which is connected to the block and it has straight ends a b, the latter being longer than the end a, and it has a side 0 which for a part of its length is straight and parallel with the straight side 13 but merges into a curved portion d, which connects with the straight end '25 by a rounded point or portion 6, and it is within this rounded point that the yarn in is fed,

as indicated. The feeler finger or lever also of wiref connected to the crum 17 extending up from or formed with the bracket to which the member 6 is pivoted. This fulcrum lies close to the block 14:, so that the length of the lever arm from the yarn engaging end at e of the feeler finger to the pivot 15 is much longer than the length of that arm of said feeler finger le ver which lies between the said pivot 15 and The normal position of the parts of the stop motion unit is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 from which it will be seen that normally the draft of the yarn is about at right angles to the direction in which the end 6 of the feeler finger must move in swinging away from the normal position connection forming a pivot for the V shown. By reason of the draft of the yarn being applied at or near the outer end of the long arm of the feeler finger lever slight draft or the draft of tender yarn on the feeler finger lever will maintain it together with the centrifugal member 6 in normal position and against the stress to which the arm 6 is subjected by centrifugal force tend ing to make it fly outward.

As soon, however, as the yarn falls from breakage or from dropping off its sweep finger and the feeler finger is thereby relieved from the restraint of the draft of the yarn, the member 6 being under stress, will immediately fly outwardly about 1ts pivot bringing the'projection 6 into line with the projections 9 on the rin 10 and thus-causing said ring to turn, an operate the letoif connection. In this action of course the feeler fin er turns about the fulcrum 17 and also 9 course about its pivot connection 15 with the member 6.

Uompensatz'on for variable speeds.

In some knitting machines changes in the number of revolutions per minute takes place automatically in accordance with the changes which automatically occur in the knitting and in order to take care of these post or standard 17' which has the fulcrum 17 at its upper end. This weight has its substantiallyhorizontal upper edge underlying a pin 20' projecting laterally from an arm 21 at or near the upper free end of the centrifugal member 6. The weight 18 is free to swing in a radial plane in respect to the top motion head or in a plane substantially 1parallel to that in which the pivoted memer 6 swings.

It will be understood that by the employment of this compensating or neutralizingweight 18 the stress applied by the feeler finger upon the yarn will remain constant in degree, notwithstanding the fact that at times the machine, together with the stop motion unit rotates at high speed and at other times the machine runs ata low speed, 7

the centrifugal force of course varying accordingly.

Now if the speed" suddenly increases and thecentrifugal arm fitends to fly outwardly at ts upper end, "the controller weight 18 will fly outwardly at its lower end causing its upper substantially horizontal edge to: rise in front of the pin 20, thus counteract ing or neutralizing the outward'movement or tendency of the centrifugal member 6, which action added to the restraining influence of the drag of the yarn on the feeler finger will prevent the increase in speed and power, due to centrifugal orce, preponderates in respect to the restraining or neutralizing power of the controller and hence the stop motion will be operated.

It will be noted that the pin 20 is slightly out beyond the vertical plane of the center of pivot 19. The member 6 is provided with an adjustable weight which may be of the form shown in Fig. 4 at 22 but preferably it is of the; form shown in Figs. 1 2 and 8 at 22 being pivoted at its lower end to the centrifugal member 6, and held in any de sired position by spring washer 22 The counteracting centrifugal governor 18 takes care of variations in speed but in order to take care of variations in the yarns used the adjustable weight 22 is employed. By this a high fecler finger pressure may be obtained upon heavy yarn, such as isre quired to insure prompt action upon the tripping mechanism, or a light feeler finger pressure may be obtained upon fine yarn which requires a light draft in order that it may not be broken. By setting this weight in difi'erent angular positions the various requirements may be met.

I have found it desirableto provide a uide 23 for the yarn at a point below the eeler finger and this I prefer to make Ver tically adjustable to increase or decrease the length of yarn lying betwee the feeler finger and the guide. This adjustment is shown at 24.

It will be understood that the yarn in resisting the ull of the feeler finger is drawn outwardly y it against this guide and that any further outward movement of the feeler finger will cause the yarn to be bent sharply at the guide and that the finger restraining effect of any given amount of yarn draft will be increased by reason of, first, change of angle in the direction of the yarn pull, and

secondly, because as the yarn is bent more and more by still further movement of the finger an increasingly greater length of yarn is drawn in excess of the length of the finger movement.

Reverting to the form of the feeler finger or lever above described it will be seen that I provlde a pivot bearing for the feeler finger which is not likely to catch yarn or lint, ready clearing or cleaning of the pivot being rendered possible by simply lifting the finger with its pivot stem 15 from its socket. The closed loop formation a, 7), c, (l and 13 retains the yarn against accidental unthreading.

The yarn is retained in the position of maximum leverage upon the feeler lever durwlde range of move yarn engaging end 6 of the feeler finger in v.ver, the effect of which. is to prevent trip p1ng off during temporary variations in I wyarn draft arising from imperfect Winding on the bobbins or other causes which afiect the re ular running, orrhanges 1n the tenluon o the yarn, but which are of such. pass ion or variation.

The effect of the extension. of the open space at ywithin the feeler finger to a point on the opposite side of the pivot 15 thereof from that of the yarn engaging end is to avoid drawing off an unnecessary amount of slack yarn when tripping ofi' takes place, be-

cause the yarn is free to move into this rearwardly disposed recess and remains well in toward the center of the machine instead of being carried outwardly with the centrifugal member and feeler finger. .Further, this form of stop motion mechanism it will be -understood that this fecler finger may be rearwardly disposed recess keeps the yarn at all times away from the point 15 where the fceler finger or lever is pivoted to the centrifugal member, thus avoiding entanglement of the yarn with the said pivot.

;While. I have described the feeler finger or" lever in connection with a centrifugal employed with forms in which the member as 6 carrying the fceler finger may be sub jected to stress in Ways other than through centrifugal force. I

It will 'be noted that the frame of the stop motion headacts as the stop for determining the inward position of the feelcr finger which bears thereon at the point so. For feeding a plating yarn. together with a main yarn two stop motion units are required, the parts of one of these units being set in respect to the location of the parts of the other unit, so that the yarn guiding ends of these feeler levers will lie close to each other.

The bracket which is detachably mounted on the head and carries the swinging centrifugal arm and adjustable weight with the feelerlever at its upper end, and the neutralizin or compensating weight and alsothe fixe fulcrum constitutes a stop {HOUOH-llfllt, which may be applied to machmes in any pg character as not to require stopping the machine.

number desired according to the number of move into position for operating the letofi' connection, a fixed'fulcrum, and a feeler lever pivotally mounted at the upper-end of said member and comprising a closed loop for receiving the yarn and a closed loop receiving the fulcrum on which the said i'eeler lever can turn and slide, substantially as described.

2. In combination in a stop motion for. knitting machines, a letofi connection, a. member under stress and thereby tending to move into position for operating the lctofl connection, a fixed fulcrum, and a feeler lever ivotally mounted on the said memher, said feeler lever having a yarn receiving loop extending when in normal position laterally to each side of the pivotal mounting and to each side of the plane of movement of the said member, said lever having a portion engaging the said fulcrum to turn thereon, substantially as described.

member under stress and thereby tending tomove into position for operating the letofi connection, a fixed fulcrum, and a feeler lever ivotally mounted on the said member, said ecler lever having a yarn receiving loop forming one arm thereof, said loop having a portion to lie in rear of the pivotal mounting or between it and the axis of the machine, when the fecler lever swings to its outward position, to thereby prevent drawmg slack, a portion 'of said feeler lever engaging the fulcrum, substantially as described.

In combination in a stop motion for knlttlng machines, a letofl connection, a member under stress and thereby tending to move into position for operating the letofl connection, a fixed fulcrum, and a feeler lever pivotally mounted on the said member, said lever having a yarn receiving bearing ex- 5. In combination'in a stop motion for knitting machines, a letofl' connection, a

member under stress and thereby tending to move into position for operating the letofi' connection, a. fixed fulcrum, and a feeler lever pivotally mounted on the said member. said lever having a yarn receiving bearing extending on opposite sides of'ithe pivotal mounting and offset in relation thereto to normally lie between said mounting and the axis of the ma chine, said feeler lever turning about said fulcrum, said bearing being curved to maintain the lever under a maximumrestraining effect of the yarn durlng oscillations of the lever due to temporary causes.

6. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a, letofi' connection, a member under stres and thereby tending to move into position for operating the letofi connection, a fixed fulcrum, and a fe'eler lever pivotally mounted on the said memher, said lever having a yarn engaging end with a curved bearing for the yarn adjacent thereto to retain the yarn at ornear the .point of maximum leverage during oscillations of the lever due to temporary causes,

substantially as described. i

7. In combination in a'stop motionfor knitting nnachines, a letofi' connection, a member under stress and thereby tending to move into position for operating the letoff connection, a fixed fulcrum, and a feelei' lever pivotally mounted on the said member, said feeler leverhaving its yarn engaging arm in the form of a closed loop of substantially rectangular shape and extending on opposite sides of the pivotal mounting, the yarn guiding end of said arm being offset in relation to said loop and away from the-pivconnection, a fixed otal mounting, substantially a described.

8. In combination in a stopmotion for knitting machines, a letolf connection, a member under stress and thereby tending to move into position for operating the letofi' connection, a fixed fulcrum, and a feeler lever pivotally mounted on the said member, said feeler lever consisting of a block having a pivot stem seated removably in a socket in the said member and wire arms carried by said block, substantially as described.

9. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a letoif connection, a member under stress and thereby tending to move 1nto position for operating the letofl' fulcrum, and a feeler lever pivotally mounted on the said member, said feeler lever extending and working substantially in. a horizontal plane and resting in connection with the said member by gravity and freely removable therefrom, substantially as described.

10. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a letofl' connection, a member under stress and thereby tending to move into position for operating the letoif connection, a fixed'fulcrum, and a feeler lever pivotally mounted on the said member, said lever having a block carrying the pivot and two wire loops, one extending laterally from the block and embracing the fulcrum as. and the other extending across the inner end move into position for operating the let-off connection, a fixed fulcrum and a feeler lever pivotally mounted onthe said member and having an arm' engaging the fulcrum and having also a yarn engaging arm, one portion of which extends on opposite sides of the plane of movement of the said memher and is provided with a yarn receiving.

bearing extending at an inclination to the direction of movement of the member to maintain the arm under a maximum restraining efi'ect of the yarn during oscilla- 'tion of the lever due to temporary causes.

12. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a member revolving with the machine subjected to centrifugal force tending to move it from a predetermined position, a letofi connection to be operated by said member, to centrifugal force and opposing the movement of the first member from said predetermined position and a yarn guide carried by the first centrifugal member, whereby the draft of the yarn opposes the movement of said member under centrifugal force, substantially as described.

13. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a member revolving with the machine subjected to centrifugal force tending to move it from a predetermined position, a leto fi' connection to be operated y said member, a second'member also subjected to centrifugal forceand opposing the movement of the first member from said predetermined position and a yarn engaging portion carried by the first centrifugal member, whereby the draft of the yarn opposes the movement of said member under centrifugal force, said'yarn guide being in the form of a feelerlever exerting a leverage action upon the said first mentioned member, substantially as described. 14. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a member revolving with the machine and pivotally mounted to a second member also subjected tioned to subject the same to the restraint .of I l the draft of the yarn, and a letoif connection operated by the said first mentioned member, substantially as described.

15. In combination in a stop motion for knittingmachines, a member revolving with the machine and pivotally mounted'to swing radially .under centrifugal force, a second iportion carried'. by the me centi'ifugal' memberalso awning withthe machine 'pivotally mounted to move radially outward under centrifugal force, said member opposing the outward moveent of the first member, a

v r first mentioned to subject the same to the restraint of'the draft of the yarn, and a let-ofi connection operated by the said first mentioned member, said first mentioned member being pivoted at or near its lower end and the second member bein pivoted at a point to cause its lower en to' swing outward under centrifugal force while its upper end opposes the outward movement of the upper end of the first member, substantially as described. 4

16. In combination in a stopmotion for knitting machines, a member revolving with the machine and pivotally mounted to swin radially under centrifugal force, a secon centrifugal memberalso revolving with the machine and pivotally mounted to move radially outward under centrifugal force, said second member opposing the outward movement of the first member, a yarn engaging member carried by the member first mentioned to subject the same to the restraint of the draft of the yarn, and a letoif connection .operated by the said first mentioned member, said first mentioned member being pivoted at or near its lower end and the second member being pivoted at a point to cause its lower end to swing outward under centrifugal force while its upper end opposes the outward movement of the upper end of the first member, said yarn engaging member being in the form of a lever pivoted to the upper end of the first member and a fixed fulcrum with which said lever engages, substantially as described.

17. In combination in a stop notion for knitting machines, a letofi' connection, a member revolving with the machine and movable under the influence of centrifugal force, a feeler finger in the form of a lever of the second order, that is with the centrifugal member pivotallyconnected thereto at a point nearer the fulcrum than the point where the draft of the yarn, is applied to said lever to oppose the movement of the member so long as the proper yarn feed is maintained and a second centrifugal member opposin the movement of the first mem her and ad ing its restraining influence to 'that of the draft of the yarn, substantially as described.

18. In combination a stop motion for knitting machines, a letotl?- connection, a

force, a feelcr lever for engaging the yarn' "ted, at the upperend of said his in substantially a horizontal plane, fulcrum for said feeler 2m s s e' lever, and a second pivotally mounted member influenced by centrifugal force and opposing the outward movement of, the first member and adding its restraint to the restraint of the draft of the yarn-on the feeler lever, substantially as described.

19. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a let-ofl' connection, a. member revolving with the machine and movable radially outward therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, said member being pivoted at its lower end, a yarn engaging portion carried by said member, whereby it is subjected to the restraining influence of the draft of the, yarn, a second member pivotally mounted to swing. outwardly at its lower end under the influence of centrifugal force, said member having an upper edge extending outwardly from the vertical plane of its pivot and underlyinga portion of the first member to rise in front thereof as the second member swings outwardly and thereby oppose the outward movement of said first member under centrifugal force. substantially as described.

20. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a letoif connection, a member revolving with the machine, and subjected to centrifugal force, said member being pivotally mounted at its lowerend and movable radially, a second member pivoted near its upper portion and swinging radially in a plane parallel with and alongside of the radial plane of movement of the first member and having its upper edge adapted-to restrain the outward movement of the first member and a yarn engaging portion carried by the first member, whereby I the draft of the yarn will add its restraint to the restraining influence of the second member against the outward movement of the first member, substantially as described.

21. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a 'letofi connection, a member pivotally mounted at its lower endand movable-radially outward under centrifugal force,said member having a laterally extending portion or pin at or near its upper end, a second member ivotally mounted at its upper end leaving its lower end free-'to'move radially outward under centrifugal force, the upper end of said. second member underlying the laterally extending portion or pin on the first member and a yarn engaging portion carried by the first member and adding the restraint of the draft of the yarn to the restraint exerted by 'the second centrifugal member on the first centrifugal member, substantially as described.

22. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a letofi' connection, a bracket adapted to be attached thereto, a member pivotally mounted at its lower end in said bracket, said bracket having a falcrum fixed thereto or formed therewith, a

'feeler lever with which the yarn en ages pivotally mounted at the upper end 0 said centrifugal member and enga ing the fixed fulcrum and a second eentri' ugal member pivotally mounted at its upper end to a portion of the bracket and coacting with the portion of the first member to oppose the movement thereof under centrifugal force, substantially as described.

23. In combination in a stop motion for" knitting machines, a letoff connection, a member under stress tending to move radiall a feeler lever pivoted to said member, a d xed fulcrum engaging said feeler lever, said feeler lever having a yarn. engagin portion, whereby the draft of the yarn wil exert a restraining influence on the centrifugal member, a yarn carrier, a yarn guide rotating with the machine and located at a point above the fceler lever and an adjustable guide for the yarn mounted on the machine and adapted to be set at different levels in respect to thefceler lever to change the angular course of the yarn between the upper guide, the feeler lever and the 'adjust- V able guide, substantially as described.

24:. In combination in a stop motion for knitting machines, a letofi connection, a member under stress and'tending to move radially outward, a feeler lever pivotally mounted on the said member and turnable in a substantially horizontal plane, a fixed fulcrum for said feeler lever and vertically adjustableyarn guide, means to change the angular course of the yarn directed to and from the feeler lever, substantially as de: scribed,

25. In combination'in a stop motion for knitting machines, a member rotating with the machine and subjected to centrifugal force tending to move it, a feeler finger carried by said member and opposing the movement of the member under centrifugal force, automatically operating means for compensating for changes in the degreeof centrifugal force to which the said memher is subjected due to changes in speed, so that at difierent speeds said member will be held by the feeler while the prescribed draft on the. arn is maintained, and a let-ofi' connection, controlled by said member when the yarn fails, substantiallyas described.

26. A stop motion unit for knitting machines colnprisin a bracket, a member pivotally mounted t ereon, a feeler lever pivotally mounted on said member and a fixed fulcrum carried by the bracket, on which said feeler lever turns and slides, all of said parts being attachable to or detachable from the machine as one body, substantially as described.

27. A stop motion unit for knitting machines comprising a bracket, a member pivotally mounted thereon, a feeler lever pivotally mounted on said member and a fixed fulcrum carried by the bracket on which said feeler leverturns and slides, and a dompensating member or weight to be under the Y influence of centrifugal force and arranged to oppose the movement of the said pivoted member under centrifugal force, all .of said parts being attachable to or detachable from the machine as one body, substantially as described. 7

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM O. TAYLQR 

